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White clouds scud across the blue skies of Kansas. An ocean of green grass spreads out below and I can imagine how the pioneer wagons with white tarps once mirrored the procession of cumulus clouds. In a modern car the going is smooth, but in a wagon the path was not easy. Wagons wore ruts and packed the earth so hard, grass doesn’t grow in some places even today. Ravines and creeks were dangerous, and pioneers often drowned crossing rivers. My idyllic vision of Conestogas crossing the prairie is far from reality.

Yet there’s a reality often overlooked in the western expansion of the US — the perspective from women who came west. Just as I’m driving the car in our mini RV train of sorts, women often managed the reins of the wagons. At the end of the day after traveling, I can still feel the movement of the road. I’m sure the wagon drivers laid down at night feeling the sway and jostle of their conveyances, too. But what’s significant is what’s omitted from the pioneer diaries and accounts. According to one historian, as many as 90 percent of the women who came west were in one phase of pregnancy or another. There were plains so flat and wagons so many, I wonder how women found privacy for the most personal of functions?

A community of women would have been important. They could look after one another and best understand feminine needs. But what about those on the fringes? I often think of Nancy Jane Holmes as a feminine rebellious spirit. But how rebellious could her gender be? Evidence indicates she had a child out of wedlock and later lived with a man as a common-law wife. She grew up on the prairie and I imagine she learned to hunt and fix game for meals. She was more hunter than farmer. Did she ever ride with the buffalo hunters? What did she think of the groups of women who passed through in the wagon trains? What did they think of her, or say to her?

For men, the westward expansion was more adventurous. In their prime, they were not burdened by bodies meant for fertility. They didn’t experience monthly fluxes, pregnancy or nursing an infant. They were free to roam, explore and be independent even with families in tow. If men were single and in a group, often they were pushing longhorns to Kansas from Texas or serving as soldiers in the US Cavalry or frontiersmen who scouted for wagon trains and hunted buffalo.

Driving across the lone prairie, I wonder at how to breakthrough the stereotypes of these past experiences, to acknowledge what was common and likely, yet imagine the unrecorded exceptions. History has documented James Butler Hickok, Wild Bill, to the minute detail. There’s no new evidence of his experiences, yet I think there’s much left to say about them by looking at the other people he interacted with at Rock Creek. Especially the women. Historians have turned wild imaginations toward Sarah Shull, and yet have virtually ignored Nancy Jane Holmes (or Jane Wellman). She was on the fringe of what was typical of pioneer women. She was more of a frontierswoman. And that’s where the story gets interesting.

Kansas provides rich history, and tomorrow my research here begins.

For the challenge, I’m thinking about the longhorns who also once spread across the plains. The word longhorns evokes notions of cowboys and cattle, which featured later in Wild Bill Hickok’s life. It’s also the name of western steakhouses, bars, football teams and a type of cheddar cheese. Dig deep enough and you’ll find some obscure term for computer technology. It’s the same idea with history, and I look forward to digging.

May 25, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a that includes the word longhorn. You can go with any of its meanings or make it a name of a person or organization. Cheese or cattle, technology or place, what can you create from the western icon? Go traditional or new; go where the prompt leads.

Respond by May 30, 2017 to be included in the compilation (published May 31). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!

***

Myths of Longhorns (from Rock Creek) by Charli MIlls

“Ever see cowboys riding the trail with their longhorns?” Jesse asked.

Sarah was tucked in a blanket, sitting on Jesse’s porch. Shulls Mill squatted dingy with lumbering dust and brick buildings. Not the crisp colors of the prairie. “No,” she replied.

“But I thought Hickok was Marshall of the biggest cowtown.”

“That was later. I saw plenty of oxen and some had long horns.”

“I pictured longhorns on the prairies.”

“Buffaloes. I once saw a herd so large the ground shook.”

“Weren’t you afraid of Indians?”

“Jesse, there’s much about the west not in those dime novels you read.”

Fun as this one sounds, I believe I’m going to lay out this week. The end of school year crazy, plus a four day weekend (complete with two days of yard sale), plus a huge backlog of work for the classes I’m taking (thanks to the yard sale) has me in a bit of overwhelm this week. Need to get my bearings again. I’ll look forward to reading, though!

Ah so true. We can’t always get our non-fiction fix in a novel, particularly dime novels.
Methinks the greener pastures and bluer skies are more suited to your disposition. I hope your stay in Kansas is relaxed, productive, and happy. Happy digging! But longhorns! Now that’s a toughie. 🙂

The green pastures and blue skies are a balm! The research, archeology field school, and family is like a pinch-me-dream. To talk to historians directly, have access to Hickok materials, getting to dig like Danni…ah, I guess my mind stalled over an easier prompt! 😀

That figure of 90% of women being pregnant took me aback yet it stands to reason that they would be making this journey during their most fertile years. And that in itself would draw my attention to your reimagining of the wild West – yes the women could drive the wagons just like the men, but they had additional demands in caring for young children and perhaps giving birth along the way. It reminds me of current migrants to Europe from Syria and its environs – we’re often shown news footage of tiny babies being rescued from overcrowded boats.
But have to say you’ve posed quite a challenge this time. While I admire your own flash and how you’ve built in your healthy scepticism is about written history, it’s the first time I’ve ever had to think about longhorns! I might have to pretend I’ve misread the prompt!

“It reminds me of current migrants to Europe from Syria and its environs – we’re often shown news footage of tiny babies being rescued from overcrowded boats.”
I’d never thought of the comparison before, but there may be gold here for policy guidance~~

Geoff Le Pard once shared that we have difficulty processing current events, but develop better hindsight in regards to understanding history. It could be a useful and positive comparison for the mothers and babes.

A positive social moo-vement! We need to poke some governments in the hindquarters with a longhorn to be more socially compassionate and resolved on these issues of humanity.

Ha! I got carried away with arriving in Kansas and grasping at a trail icon. However, you might find it interesting that a psychiatrist, Daniel Levinson, and a historian, Howard Lamar, suggested that “…the overland passage played a vital role in the life cycle of men, corresponding to ‘breaking away,’ improving, or bettering oneself, the stages that mark a man’s life.” In contrast, the journey for women is “anti-mythic.” I think a difference for Syrian migrants might be the fear and desperation shared by the parents, whereas, westerward ho! was an adventure in virility for the men and a drain on the women. I think it’s remarkable that two of my characters (based on historic women) had no children after the infant deaths of their firstborns. Yet, also unthinkable what the parents of today’s war-displacement must be suffering.

Oh, I can see that as a rite of passage, Charli, and a lot safer than all-out war. But if I understood you rightly, it’s strange they couldn’t envisage a similar drive for adventure and independence among the women. I’m looking forward to learning about the West from your novel – apart from those old black and white cowboy films, there aren’t really any myths in my head for you to unravel.

There’s an interesting book called “Soiled Doves” about the prostitutes out west and that author (also a woman) contends many of the laundresses and prostitutes indeed traveled west for adventure. Perhaps that wasn’t the adventure they intended, but I am exploring what freedom might mean to women and how they find it or compromise. If women have a Hollywood myth in the old western movies, I think it would be that of the silent role!

For those of us more than a century removed it is difficult to even imagine the kind of life the settlers endured. I am sure of that 905 number there was a second number alarmingly high of complicated and unhappy birth experiences. The emotional toll of the journey and the pregnancy had to be horrific.

It’s unthinkable, the hardships of the overland experience, and yet they endured and many managed to thrive. I think it’s interesting that the woman my character of Mary is based on, chose to give birth among family back home before following her husband west. But when he died, she and her children stayed. The emotional state had to have been complex, too.

[…] Carrot Ranch Prompt (05/25/2017): In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the word longhorn. You can go with any of its meanings or make it a name of a person or organization. Cheese or cattle, technology or place, what can you create from the western icon? Go traditional or new; go where the prompt leads. […]

Gee whiz! These prompts! Longhorn, really? In the end I only looked west a little for this one.

Highlander, by D. Avery

These green mountains had never held her the way they held him. She’d always chafed at the constrictions of hill farming, pined for open range. With dual citizenship she could be anywhere; Texas, Alberta, anywhere her wild western dreams led her. He wouldn’t look.
He was pioneering right here, innovating with heirloom breeds and traditional farming methods. He raised Highlanders for meat, but kept one as a milk cow, another tradition for this loyal breed. These Scottish Longhorns were hardy and independent, but also good-natured and reliable, good mothers.
He’d be right here with his fold should she return.

In various stages — before, during and after. Giving birth on the trail must have been terrifying! Rich history here, unbelievable, actually! I have met with historians, archivists and archeologists already. More to come!

“Fifty musta’ made her cantankerous.”
Shorty just smiled. Even as they whined and complained they were checking cinches, adjusting stirrups. Getting ready.
“We’re not all country western singin’ cowgirls!”
“A short piece on longhorns! I’d rather a tall-tale than a longhorn.”
“Are there even any left?”
Shorty finally spoke. “There’re longhorns out there for you to wrangle and round up. Bring one back to the ranch on the hoof; raw, if you will.”
More grumbling but they were already mounted and ranging out. Shorty never used a stick, and knew that the carrot was simply a job raw done.

Gruene Hall was roasting. Renee and I sat drenched from drink and dance. Her hair shined. My favorite curl had slung itself around her cheek as we heaved, giggling when the headliner, Merlin Mowers, slid next to Renee. A round of Lonestar longnecks followed.

Renee squealed. We snapped selfies. All was wonderful until Mowers veered into Renee, his long face like a Cadillac Deville, his mustache a set of longhorns affixed to his grin.

Renee’s eyes widened. Her grip tightened around the longneck.
I could’ve told Merl to duck.

Hi Elliott! There’s much going on in Kansas, but I miss the Gallup people and the wide, timeless spaces of the west. Texas is, well, Texas-big! I’ll be heading north next and will let you know in case you want a Yupper journey. I know where to get a killer pasty, but it’s not as stellar as your treehouse steakhouse. A touching story that unfolds.

A pasty is the food gem of the UP, a hold over from hardrock mining days and Cornish immigrants. Savory beef and veggies in a handheld piecrust. It’s simple but oh-so-divine! And definitely meat and potatoes! Scoops sounds delicious for later!

It’s the Kansas chapter, now! Although I think it will be somewhat domesticated, less wild, but still lots to uncover in archives and dirt. I liked Jane’s walk this week. She needs a good frosty mug at a familiar place.

[…] Mills at the Carrot Ranch. This week she had me (almost) completely stumped with her challenge to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a (story) that includes the word longhorn. Charli’s in Kansas at the moment, and her reference is to longhorn cattle, a breed not familiar […]

[…] https://carrotranch.com/2017/05/26/may-25-flash-fiction-challenge-2/ May 25, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a that includes the word longhorn. You can go with any of its meanings or make it a name of a person or organization. Cheese or cattle, technology or place, what can you create from the western icon? Go traditional or new; go where the prompt leads. […]

[…] https://carrotranch.com/2017/05/26/may-25-flash-fiction-challenge-2/ May 25, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a that includes the word longhorn. You can go with any of its meanings or make it a name of a person or organization. Cheese or cattle, technology or place, what can you create from the western icon? Go traditional or new; go where the prompt leads. […]

Detective James Longhorn had knew there would be no syncretism
for Janice and Richard. The reformation of a psychopath was like
trying to collapse the tough cast iron barrel of an old cannon.

Richard seemed to have a stiff vertebra, and the uncanny tendency
to warren his way into the nerves of a woman whom he had once
controlled. Longhorn would do all he could to catch Richard whether
the troll was actually lucid or oscitant.

When that horrid call came over the invisible strands of transmission;
to the unboxed cell phone – everyone in the police precinct room
shuttered.

This story is really bubbling to the surface, isn’t? I’ve been fascinated to watch the serials unfold, and when I began using flash fiction as a way to revise scenes, I found it useful. I think in terms of scenes, and sometimes don’t know where it’s heading or where it’s been! The flash gives me the freedom to explore without committing. I hope it helps you discover what this bigger story hold for you.

And guess what, Jules? Your Ella Clah novel arrived in Kansas today. My sister-in-law thought it was great that writers share reads. Thank you for sharing!

I definiely think it stands alone. Just any chapter stands alone. You trust ur audience to fill in the blanks. i enjoy the language and unique words. I am always learning new ones. And i think i learned about 5 in yours. That phone call is killing me. So, that is to say, you captured the essence of how it should freeze everyone. Whether we find out why or not; the creativite part of it has been achieved.

This is an excerpt from (the ‘chapter’) “Ten Years Too Soon”. The cell phone was delivered to Janice’s home while she was at the neighbors waiting for the police.

“At the station, in the conference room with blue carpeting; the box was carefully opened. There was only a cell phone in a red case in layers of bubble wrap. After going over the device with special wand it was determined that the phone was safe enough to handle, after it was dusted for prints. The woman officer suggested Janice turn it on – Janice turned it on and saw it had one message. Janice put the phone on speaker to play the recording. “Found …”, turning pale she dropped the phone, “you!” – boomed in Richard’ voice….also; “Took care of the neighborhood’s Peeping Tom. For you, dear…”

I know just creates more questions 🙂
Might lead one to read all links in the series…or not.

I went and put the link ‘Janice vs Richard’ on each piece but you can also reach the link on the top of the flash fiction site on the page ‘Janice vs Richard’ – each piece has the links to the prompt sites (including the wordle lists if used are on each piece they are used in). I hope that isn’t too much of an inconvenience.